The address of the Birmingham Political Union to the Re-
formers of Great Britain and Ireland, which will be found at length in our advertising columns, is a document of importance from its origin, and of interest from its popular eloquence and solemn earnestness. Thus it appears that the country is moved at its head and in its centre. We give one or two passages from the address, to show the nature of the movement among the masses of Birmingham.
" We never held that any other than a temporary line of distinction could or ought to be drawn between one class of the community and another, in re- spect to that highest social privilege, the choice of our legislators. As the necessity of the poorest, as well as the superfluity of the wealthiest, is called upon to minister towards the support of the state, we have ever said, and reason says the same, that the poorest equally with the wealthiest ought to have a voice in the management of the common funds to which all contribute. We accepted of the ten-pound franchise as valuable only by its approximation to the just and perfect rule of free government, by which taxation and representa- tion are declared to be in principle coextensive. " Recognizing in all our fellow citizens of sane mind and legal freedom, the in- alienable right of suffrage, we include as an essential requisite that, in the exer- cise of the suffrage, no loan should be overawed by force or swayed by corrup- tion ; but that every voter should give his vote freely and honestly, as his own judgment and conscience may dictate. • " Agreeably to the strictest principles of justice, we demand Univers:I Suf- frage as a rightful inheritance, which the owners may consent, from motives of expediency, and for a time, to waive, but which no one else has the smallest title to modify or restrict, touch less to deny."
The cuckoo cry of "look to Ireland," which is repeated whenever the necessity of a Reform Government for England is maintained, does not alarm the Birmingham Liberals-
" Reformers, we do look to Ireland; we are most earnestly desirous that full and speedy justice should be meted out to her sons. Are they not our brothers? But we contend, in Ireland as in England, for the establishment of principles, not the dominion of persons; for the permanent sway of equal laws, not for the casual influence of a benevolent governor. The lollies gave to Ireland her Orange Magistrates. The Whigs have been in office fin the last seven years, with a power, when exerted iu a popular direction, above all precedent what attempts have they made to purify the Irish roll of the Peace? what measures have they projected to inake Irish Judges responsible, or Irish Juries impartial and effective? They support Lord Mulgrave : did they not support Lord 1nglesea? If Lord Mulgrave had been as cold-hearted as be is kind, and as ignorant as he is enlightened, who will say that Whig favour and Whig protec- tion would not have beeu extended to hint with the same cheerful alacrity ? Ii there any thing in their words or their acts that shows them to be less kindly disposed towards Sir Francis Head and Lord Gosford, than towards Lord Mul- grave ? And will it for a numient be believed, that they who have so eagerly espoused the cause of • oppression and tyranny hi Canada, can be sincere in their admiration of good and just government in Ireland ? The present peace of Ireland rests upon a basis which time inevitably must, and a thousand accidents may, destiny; awl are we to be gravely told, that, fur tie sate of continuing to Ireland so very precarious a blessing, we are to make willing bacr fi ce of all that we deem essential to the wellbeing of the empire? But, why should Ireland sink in despair in the event of the Tories returning to power ? The union and spirit of her sons sufficed to achieve the conquest of freedom in 1829 : are they unequal to its maintenance, after seven years' enjoyment ? Are Irishmen less combined and less courageous now than when the Emancipation hill was passed? have the seven years of Whig pro- tection, on which so touch importance is placed, only issued in diminishing the love of liberty and weakening the capacity for its vindication ? "
It is to be hoped that Irishmen themselves will soon be shamed out of the cowardly thread of the Tories which now paralyzes the strength which ought to assist Englishmen in the common struggle for good government. Not only in the Metropolis and in Birmingham are the Re- formers in motion : we scarcely take up a provincial newspaper on the Liberal side which does nut advocate the Ballot, and ea- nounce some public meeting past or to come for the purpose of retitioning Parliament to protect the constituent body by the secret vote. Private letters from many quarters bring intelli- gence of similar movements. It is a fact, that in almost every part of Great Britain there is a stir in favour of those reforms which Lord JOHN Russet.). declares the People never shall obtain with his consent. By and by the " voice of the nation " will again be heard, and it will be seen how far Lord JOHN'S "whisper" will prevail against it.
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